Transportation Assistant Secretary Ricardo "Cano" Tan said he has decided to give up his plan to run for mayor to heed the call of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to head the Land Transportation Office in the National Capital Region.

Tan said he reached the decision after lengthy consultations with his family and his leaders and supporters. It was a very difficult decision, but in the end, I could not turn down the request of the president who told me that she needed me at the LTO, he said.

Tan said he was told he would head the LTO in the National Capital Region concurrently with his being a DOTC assistant secretary.

I thank all my supporters for all their help, sincerity and loyalty, Tan said, and ask that they understand the decision I had to make.

My family and I will never forget the support they had shown to me, he said.

Tan said he will respect his supporters' decisions on whom they decide to support for mayor of Bacolod in his place.

Councilor Al Victor Espino has been named Bacolod chairman of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, the party of President Arroyo, in place of Tan.

Tan recommended Espino since he is an incumbent elected official, Melvin Ibañez, KAMPI Negros Occidental chairman, said.*CPG

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